Due to the extreme heat predicted for Sunday, July 14, and lack of air conditioning at West Allis Central High School Auditorium, the West Allis Players are cancelling July 14th’s matinee performance of “Is Murder Tax-deductible?”
This is beyond our control and we deeply apologize for any inconvenience. We will be having performances July 12th and 13th and be back next weekend July 19 and 20 at 7:30 and at 2:00 pm July 21. Any tickets purchased for July 14 will be honored at any other performance.
Thank you for your understanding and for your continued support of The West Allis Players.
Performance Location: Central Auditorium 84th & Lincoln Ave. West Allis
The Cliff Notes: The show is set in spring of 1951. Brian Merring, the co-owner of the CPA firm, Dett and Merring, is supposedly found murdered in his office. Suspected of his murder are two disgruntled clients, an unhappy ex-wife, a sleazy landlord and a wise-cracking secretary. But his personal appointment book listed a mysterious late-night meeting – did his last visitor have a motive for murder?
The Cast List:
Character Name
Actor Name
Phillip Bartholomew
David Jirik
Bella Matthews
Molly Dawn Dewayne
Brian Merring
Lance Odom
Nathaniel Dett
Scott Fudali
Carol Merring
Maureen Lavin
Officer Henry
Luis Castillo
Helen Coner
Marilyn Daleiden
Jane/Christine
Maria Bunczak Schmidt
Harry Perkins
Marty Graffenius
Melvin Temple
Randy Tranowski
Christopher (7/13)
Jon Goltz
Production Team
Team Member
Director
Katherine Beeson
Producers
Ray Nazer Katherine Beeson
Stage Manager
Jon Goltz
Set Designer
Scott Fudali
Set Construction
Scott Fudali & Cast/Crew
Lighting Designer
Lance Odom
Sound Designer
Scott Fudali
Lighting Technician
Mary Beth Topf
Sound Technician
Mary Beth Topf
Props Masters
Katherine Beeson
Box Office
Mike Jablonski
House Manager
Ray Nazer
Ticket Information Tickets can be purchased ahead of time by visiting our online ticket site here. *Note, this will open in a new tab.
Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Adult: $18.00 Seniors: $16.00 Children (12 and under): $12.00
For any additional show questions, feel free to drop us a note at info@westallisplayers.org. See you at the show!
for West Allis Players’ production of: Is Murder Tax Deductible? by Katherine Beeson
We are so excited to present this vintage murder mystery/comedy for our summer show in 2024! This show is written and directed by Katherine Beeson. It was recently performed in Michigan, will be performed in Florida and a publisher in Oregon is considering publication; needless to say, Katherine is thrilled!!!
Audition Dates: May 5 & 6, 6:30 pm Central Auditorium West Allis Central High School 85th and Lincoln Ave
Looking for 11 actors. 6m/5f
We are looking for energetic actors who want to have fun while delving into great characters and honing their craft. Hope to see you there! Preregistration is not needed! Photos may be taken.
Auditions will consist of reading from the script. The script can be downloaded from the link below if desired. A short explanation of the show will begin each audition night. (There will be no warm-up games.) Reading will include Helen and the Detective, Bella and Carol and the Detective and Harry Perkins
Show Synopsis: The show is set in spring of 1951. Brian Merring, the co-owner of the CPA firm, Dett and Merring, is supposedly found murdered in his office. Suspected of his murder are two disgruntled clients, an unhappy ex-wife, a sleazy landlord and a wise-cracking secretary. But his personal appointment book listed a mysterious late-night meeting – did his last visitor have a motive for murder?
Character Information: Brian Merring: 35+ accountant, lead role Bella Matthews: 30+ Loyal company secretary, lead role Detective Phillip Bartholemew: 45+, “Columboish” yet grizzly detective with an attitude, lead role Carol Matthews: 35+ ex-wife with an agenda, supporting role Harry Perkins: Any age; an “honest” businessman with shady background, supporting Melvin Temple: Any age, disgruntled client with a dark side, supporting Barry Silks: Any age, landlord of building, a bit slimy, supporting Helen Conor: Any age, cleaning lady who does not miss much, supporting Ben: Janitor – tiny role and may be eliminated Jane: Another cleaning lady whose role may be expanded. Another Secretary: Tiny but pivotal
Performances will be July 12 – 14 and 19 – 21 2024.
With our run of Love Letters coming to a close, we thought it appropriate to write a little letter of our own….
Dear Community,
We want to thank you for coming out to see our production of Love Letters by A.R. Gurney!
It was a short rehearsal process, with only a month to prepare for a one weekend run, but our six actors were more than up to the task of bringing the fifty years of written communication between Andy Ladd and Melissa Gardener to life!
To Ben, Maria, Lance, Valentina, Paul, and Antoinette: Thank you for sharing your talents with not only the West Allis Players, but the audiences as well. We were glad to have you and we hope to see you again at future auditions!
To Sarah, our stage manager: Despite being behind the scenes, your contributions have NOT gone unnoticed! Thank you for all that you were able to do to keep everything running!
To Stacy Madson, our director: Thank you for taking a unique approach to this incredible story! From staging the show in the round to having more actors take on the role of Andy and Melissa, this was an incredible staging and we are fortunate that you choose to share your talents with us!
To the Audience: THANK YOU for coming to see Love Letters! We are so glad we could share this incredible story with so many of you!
We look forward to seeing you again at West Allis Central in July for Is Murder Tax Deductible?
Performance Location: Liberace Auditorium 5048 W. Greenfield Ave. West Milwaukee
The Cliff Notes: When Andrew Makepeace Ladd III accepts an invitation to Melissa Gardner’s birthday party, and Melissa writes a thank-you note to ask just why he got her “The Lost Princess of Oz” (answer: she looks like a lost princess), a romantic friendship and correspondence destined to last for almost half a century is born. Both from affluent, East Coast families — Melissa has more money, but Andy has better parents — the friends communicate with each other through angst-ridden boarding school experiences, European adventures, failed marriages, and the ups and downs of career. Over the course of their lives, Andy and Melissa’s relationship goes through many changes, as the sometimes-sweethearts/sometimes-friends go through periods of estrangement, and the intense, clandestine affair which will accelerate Melissa’s emotional breakdown. Despite the painful differences which will ultimately tear them apart, they remain each other’s most trusted confidante, and are “true lovers” on paper, if not on the earth. A.R. Gurney’s Love Letters is a tender, tragi-comic, and nuanced examination of the shared nostalgia, missed opportunities, and deep closeness of two lifelong, complicated friends.
The Cast List:
Character Name
Actor Name
Younger Melissa
Maria Bunczak Schmidt
Younger Andrew
Benjamin Binversie
Middle Melissa
Valentina Fox Sales
Middle Andrew
Lance Odom
Older Melissa
Antoinette Stikl
Older Andrew
Paul Weir
Production Team
Team Member
Director
Stacy Madson
Stage Manager
Sarah Moglia
Set Designer
Scott Fudali / Stacy Madson
Set Construction
Scott Fudali & Cast/Crew
Lighting Designer
Scott Fudali
Sound Designer
Scott Fudali
Lighting Technician
Katherine Beeson
Sound Technician
Katherine Beeson
Props Masters
Stacy Madson
Box Office
Mike Jablonski
Ticket Information Tickets can be purchased ahead of time by visiting our online ticket site here. *Note, this will open in a new tab.
Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Adult: $18.00 Seniors: $16.00 Children (12 and under): $12.00
For any additional show questions, feel free to drop us a note at info@westallisplayers.org. See you at the show!
